Your Cat's Name, Age (when adopted and now), and Gender
Princess -- adopted 5 years ago -- female
Other cats adopted after the "breakthrough" cat
None. I doubt that my cat would tolerate another feline in this household!
How I met my first cat
For several years, my elderly neighbor and I had both been leaving food outside for a beautiful cat who'd gone feral. After a brutal snow storm, my neighbor called to say the cat was crying outside. I ran over and heard what sounded like a human baby crying. It was our little friend, nearly frozen to death & dying of hunger. She was petrified of all humans, but could barely move, so I quickly picked her up, put her in a box and scooted her into my neighbor's home. Then my neighbor said her husband wouldn't let her keep the cat! i wouldn't let the poor thing die in the cold, so I became an accidental feline parent.
How this cat wormed its way into my heart
It took her years to warm up to me and my family. The poor thing was so afraid of humans. Now that it's been 5 years, she is the undisputed "owner" of this house and she purrs when I pet her. She also "demands" to be fed if I forget to put out her food on time!
Advice
- If you rescue a feral cat, you'll need to be very, very patient. It took several years before I could even gently brush the side of my cat's fur with my hand. I would touch her very gently and quickly and then walk away slowly. Eventually, she started to trust me... but again... it's really only in this fifth year that she's been with us that she's allowed me to slowly walk up to her and pet her. But now, she frequently marks me as her "property" or at least as her "personal chef!" :)
